bChapter /bb108 /b

    Natalie nodded and said, “Yeah, that’s him. But he likes to keep a low profile, so he specifically told me not to make a fuss about it.”

    She then shot Olivia a pointed look and added, “If it weren’t for someone here pretending to be at miracle–working doctor today, I wouldn’t have even brought it up.”

    Fiona said, “Natalie, you’re incredible. With Phantom Healer backing you up, the Evans family will rule Hirica. You’ve always been a top student, and now with Phantom Healer teaching you, it’s only a matter of time before you be a legendary doctor.”

    Natalie lifted her chin even higher, beaming with pride.

    After getting that anonymous text, Natalie pored over every bit of info about Phantom Healer again and again. From what she’d gathered, Phantom Healer was rumored to be some old man in his fifties or sixties, always traveling around and barely ever seen in public.

    She wasn’t dumb enough to pretend to be Phantom Healer himself–that was just asking to get exposed. It was much safer to say she was just his apprentice. She figured Phantom Healer would never find out.

    Olivia–the one and only Phantom Healer–found it quite amusing. She thought, ‘I definitely don’t have disciples this dumb.’

    She then asked, “Care to describe what your master looks like? You have met him before, haven’t you? No apprentice goes without seeing their own master.”

    The crowd erupted with questions. Phantom Healer was famous all over the country, and everyone

    was curious about him.

    “Yeah, girl, show us a photo of your master,” someone called out.

    “We want to see Phantom Healer too,” another person echoed.

    “Why aren’t you showing us? Are you just making this up? I knew it–there’s no way Phantom Healer

    I

    would take bon /ban apprentice so easily,” someone else scoffed..

    Natalie started to panic, suddenly tongue–tied. She thought, ‘If I can’t show them something, they’ll know I’ve never actually met Phantom Healer. He’s just supposed to be some old dude anyway. I’ll just grab a random photo and pretend that’s him. Easy,‘

    She blurted out, “Of course I do.” She then whipped out her phone, pulled up a picture, and zoomed in. She said, “Here–this is the legendary Phantom Healer, my master.”

    b1/2 /b

    08:31 Tue, 9 bSept /bi

    ter b108 /b

    Chapter

    Olivia was just dumbfounded. She grumbled inwardly, ‘Natalie, couldn’t you at least find a more convincing fake photo? Are you expecting people to believe this guy is Phantom Healer?”

    65%

    Ethan, who had been watching the whole thing unfold, leaned in to get a better look at the supposed Phantom Healer, figuring it might help him track the guy downter. Just one nce, and he felt like his eyes had been sullied.

    The guy in the picture was a disaster–messy beard, picking at his foot, the very image of a greasy, sleazy middle–aged creep.

    Ethan thought, ‘Seriously? This guy is supposed to be Phantom Healer?”

    Olivia pinched the bridge of her nose, utterly at a loss for words. After all her years as a doctor, she’d

    never been trolled this hard in her life.

    Ethan couldn’t believe it either. In his imagination, the legendary Phantom Healer should be some dignified old man with a white beard, always ying with herbs–not the greasy mess in that photo.

    He scoffed, “Girl, that photo is way too fake.”

    Natalie forted an awkward smile, totally embarrassed. She hadn’t even bothered to check–just googled a random picture and shed it. She thought, ‘Who would’ve thought it’d be this bad?‘

    Still, she defended, “My master doesn’t care about appearances. Anyway, I’m the only one who’s met him. You people wouldn’t get it anyway.

    “Just being able to see his photo is already a huge privilege for you, and you still have the nerve to question me? Do you even deserve it?”

    Ethan rolled his eyes and headed off to find Andrew. He thought, ‘No way that creep is Phantom Healer. Once Mr. Shea tracks down the real Phantom Healer, I will spill the beans and let Phantom Healer set this wannabe apprentice straight.”

    AD